The Day the Winds Changed Everything

I remember exactly what I made for lunch on December 30th, 2021. It was a simple meal, but that afternoon would become unforgettable. Less than thirty minutes after putting the bowls in the sink, the sky shifted from gray to dark brown. Emergency sirens wailed, first responder vehicles rushed by, and my father’s voice rang out with urgency, shouting that we needed to leave immediately. That day, the wind howled like never before, reaching speeds up to 100 miles per hour. It was the day everything changed for our family.

A Quiet Morning Before the Storm

The day began like many others during winter break. My mother spent the morning outside, trying to protect the nativity set from the strong wind gusts. At one point, she gave up and came inside for lunch. My father had planned to go into Boulder for work but decided to stay home because of the fierce winds and the smell of smoke drifting through our Superior, Colorado neighborhood.

Inside the house, I was preparing lunch while my 10-year-old daughter Julia played with our Scottish terrier, Leo. My 13-year-old daughter Ava slept in, enjoying the break from school. My oldest daughter, Isabella, was driving along the highway, returning from CU Boulder, where she was also on winter break.

The First Signs of Danger

Isabella called me during her drive. She mentioned a fire near campus but then said something that sent a chill down my spine: “I see fire in a field right next to the highway.” She was heading to a friend’s house, and I asked her to let me know when she arrived safely.

Meanwhile, my father stepped outside to check the direction of the smoke. The sky darkened rapidly, emergency sirens grew louder, and the wind’s howl intensified. It was clear that this was no ordinary storm.

The Urgent Evacuation

Within minutes, the situation escalated. My father’s voice filled the house with alarm, urging us to pack what we could and leave immediatly. For a split second, we looked at each other. Then we ran. We gathered what little we could and out to my father's truck.

The chaos outside was overwhelming. Emergency vehicles nearby, their sirens piercing the roar of the wind. Large debris was flying everywhere around us, swirling above our heads. I remeber tthinking, if we don’t take cover now, we will be hit by all of this.

What We Left Behind

I will always remember what I saw as we drove away. Black smoke everywhere; a total blackout... My dad trying to see through it and navigate us out… Only one other car leaving old town Superior with us…The look on my daughters’ faces... A first responder struggling to keep himself from being blown sideways. Eventually, the wind took him perpendicular, but he managed to get his feet back on the ground. We all gasped in disbelief. My dad continued looking in the rear view mirror at the destruction behind us, his eyes widening in horror. By then, the fire was arching up over the gas station, over the road, and had made its way to the opposite side of the street. Confusion, disbelief, panic. The air was filled with the heavy, thick smell of smoke.

We later learned that the fire had spread rapidly, fueled by the high winds. Our home was gone less than 15 minutes after we’d evacuated. 

Lessons from the Day the Winds Changed Everything

This experience taught us several important lessons about preparedness and resilience:

• Stay informed: Keep up with local news and emergency alerts, especially during extreme weather conditions.

• Have an evacuation plan: Know your routes and pack essentials ahead of time.

• Stay connected: Keep in touch with family members and neighbors during emergencies.

• Cherish moments: Appreciate the time spent together, as life can change unexpectedly.

  
  

That December afternoon reminds me how quickly life can shift. The winds that day carried more than smoke and ash—they carried a message about the fragility of safety and the strength of family. While we left our home behind, we took with us memories and a renewed sense of what truly matters.